Imaging immune cells (macrophages) inside head and neck cancer with fluorine-19 MRI
Official title: Imaging tumor-associated macrophages in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using fluorine-19 MRI
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11319716 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will use a special fluorine-19 MRI scan after an injected tracer to show macrophage immune cells in tumors of people with recurrent head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $655,700 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA290014-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11319716 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with locoregionally recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who can undergo MRI and receive an intravenous tracer would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or those who cannot have MRI or an intravenous tracer (for example due to certain implants, severe claustrophobia, or allergy), would not be expected to benefit.
What this research studies
You would receive an intravenous injection of a perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion that is taken up by macrophages in the body. The tracer causes those macrophages to show up as hot-spots on a fluorine-19 (19F) MRI scan, and the signal can be measured to estimate macrophage burden. This imaging is intended for people with locoregionally recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma so doctors can see immune cells in the tumor non-invasively. The information could be used to help tailor or prioritize immunotherapy approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this imaging method could help doctors identify tumors with high macrophage levels and better match patients to immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Related 19F MRI macrophage-labeling approaches have shown promise in animal studies and early human translational work, but widespread clinical use remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahrens, Eric T. — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Ahrens, Eric T.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Novel idea: Epstein-Barr virus and eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe
A study explores whether Epstein-Barr virus could cause a type of eye cancer in people living with HIV in Zimbabwe.
-
Oral cancer recurrence predictor using tumor microbes and gene activity
This NIH grant explores how bacteria and immune signals inside oral cancer tumors relate to whether the cancer comes back, with the aim of making a practical risk predictor for patients.
-
Data-driven classification of aggressive tissue traits to predict cancer outcomes in HPV-negative head and neck cancer
A clinician-science grant uses data science and AI to identify tissue patterns in HPV-negative head and neck cancer that may predict how long patients stay cancer-free.
-
Targeting PIPKIγi5 to boost immune responses against head and neck cancer
A study to see if blocking a specific enzyme, PIPKIγi5, can make head and neck cancer more visible to the immune system and more responsive to existing immunotherapies.
-
Targeted approaches for lung squamous cell carcinoma with key gene changes
A study at a major university is exploring new targets in lung squamous cell carcinoma to help people with this cancer find better treatments.
-
Baculovirus-based therapy to treat head and neck cancer with a gentle, minimally invasive approach
A new, minimally invasive approach using baculovirus-delivered CRISPR gene editing aims to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma while aiming to preserve essential tissues.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.